Concierge Co. Ends Long Run at Maplewood Train Station

A fourteen-year run of providing coffee, newspapers, services and neighborly cheer to countless commuters came to an end Friday morning as the founders of the Maplewood Concierge Company passed the baton to the owner of the company that won the rights to the concession.

"I'm elated," said MCC's Art Christensen after shaking hands with Ozkan Zeran, owner of Café Mavi Express. Zeran's company was which decided last year to put the concession out to bid.

Christensen, who along with Bob Klein and a core group of local merchants helped launch the MCC in 1998, said he was pleased that NJT had agreed to retain concierge services at the station. 

Along with Klein, Maplewood Chamber of Commerce executive director Rene Conlon and other chamber members were on hand to wish Zeran well.

Zeran, who operates train station concessions at Summit, Mountainside, Metuchen and Cranford (and runs a full cafe in Summit), said his company looks forward to being part of the community. "Whatever the town needs, we will do it," he said.

Cafe Mavi Express will serve coffee, cappuccino and espresso as well as frozen yogurt, smoothies and fresh baked bread and pastries. They will be open seven days a week, and there are plans to eventually have cafe tables and chairs and serve sandwiches and other food.

Christensen said that Zeran's experience was a big selling point. "He can offer far and above what we could provide," said Christensen.